Pre School

FIRST DAY: 

 

 

Ains is now attending our local DC public school and she LOVES it.  

A few highlights:

* walk to school (3 blocks!)

* sleep in a bit later in the morning

* neighborhood friends (you should see the posse walking to/from!)

* uniforms (momma likes LOVES this!)

* will be able to do playdates nearby

* "a boy teacher" who is, according to A, "so funny!"

*an excellent school program: responsive classroom, readers workshop, a full time classroom assistant, Chinese language classes, museum magnet school, high parent involvement.... I could go on!

FIRST WEEKS: 

"These are both roses. One is red and one is pink."

chocolate party outdoors

After TWO Chinese Language classes:

soccer and swimming

another catching-up post 

signed up for spring soccer

discovered this is a questionable sport for our monkey princess.  

While we managed to get her on the field sans princess dress (difficult), she does have the guts and spunk to jump right in with the boys (she was the only girl on the team).

team 'jersey'

By the 3rd lesson, she developed the tactic of just launching herself onto whomever was in control of the ball.  Interesting strategy.

Mom left it up to Daddy to explain the difference between football and soccer.

yeah! That's our girl in the lead!  Stay with the ball!!!

By this point in the season, most parents either forgot or couldn't find the soccer jersey on Saturday morning. :)

Thanks for the PINK shin-guards, cousins!  The boys were a bit jealous. 

GOAL!

part of the team

getting her FIRST trophy!!

"we love soccer!"

 Summer brought swimming lessons at the local JCC.

Ains loves her coach-given goggles so much.  

She wears them in the shower.  And in place of sunglasses sometimes. :)

first day of school

Oh, how fleeting are these early years!

Getting ready for preschool.  Ains woke up eager and immediately went to her dresser to select clothes.  I let her choose some shorts for under her *DARLING* new dress from Eastern Market (thanks, Gma Dee!).  It's the only photo showing the cute buttons, so I had to post it even though her eyes are closed. :)

 Our girl was more ready than her parents, as I'm sure is often the case.  She and daddy played in my classroom....

then in the gym... until time for her day to begin.

Her buddy from daycare is now one of her classmates!

 ~ greeting the teacher ~

No tears.  Jumped right in.  Practically waved Daddy away once she entered.  Half-way through her day, she walked by my classroom -- smiled and blew me a kiss, then kept on walking. Got home... "Mom, now, where are we going to keep my bag? I don't want to forget it."  Then.... "Mom?  Can I go lay down on my bed for a little bit? [shock, awe, and hiding a smile] I'm tired. Tell me when it's dinner."  This girl is so ready for school!  My heart.  She's so grown up.